Machines are getting smarter, making your home smarter, too
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is a crucial aspect of this technological age. Simply put, AI is smart software that can make decisions and learn at a basic level without human assistance. Although AI may seem more prominent in the commercial sphere, people are also being increasingly assisted in their homes by AI, allowing them to be more efficient by saving time and effort.
When looking at AI within the household, one prominent device is Amazon’s “Alexa.” Alexa lives in the “cloud” and acts as a personal assistant by responding to certain commands. Many Alexa users have discovered that the ability to communicate with technology is more natural than tapping buttons on a screen. The Alexa device is always listening to you and has the technological ability to clearly hear and understand commands within the proper context. Alexa helps you get (and stay) organized so you can achieve more in your day.
According to Amazon.com, Alexa is capable of:
- reading you the news while you relax, or recipes while you cook
- playing you the music of your choice with the ability to synchronize across devices in the home
- creating your to-do lists
- making online purchases at your command
Alexa is a leap forward in AI that will help shape how humans will act and interact with technology in the future.
AI in the home is all about enhancing the way the living spaces within your home communicate. For instance, apps like Nest communicate with your phone or other electronic devices to regulate household technology.
According to Nest Labs, the primary focuses of Nest are:
- energy efficiency
- safety in the home
- ease of use
Nest dramatically changes how its users interact with their thermostat. Software within the Nest learns from you as you use it, so it remembers what you input and will eventually start making decisions for you. The Nest thermostat uses background information based on your actions and preferences to make choices automatically and for peak efficiency. Nest can learn from the way you are heating and cooling your home, and will inform you about your energy usage. With the Nest app, a computer controls the temperature in your house so you never have to think about it again, plus the app can drive savings through lower energy use over time.
Building on AI technology
While AI can help you improve energy efficiency and save money, it can also be used simply to make your life at home easier. For instance, U.K.-based start-up AI Build has created a “home-hub” prototype that makes everyday tasks like turning on lights more intuitive than app-based AI technology. A Forbes.com article (May 24, 2016) explains how this customizable hub uses algorithms and 360-degree camera technology within a room to gradually learn and respond to “the natural gestures and voice idiosyncrasies of frequent users.” The result will be streamlined functionality and a more satisfying user experience, which are two important benefits of AI.